[Tim603]

Well.... I did put on catless headers and I started hearing this rattling noise so I figured hey its my secondary cats.

Finally I got those gutted and guess what.....the rattle is still there

I put it up on the lift and had a two mechanics below my car checking everything for where the sound was coming from, turns out its coming from the valvetrain

after doing some research it turns out vanos rattle is a common problem with some of the older chassis bmws.

Attached is the images of the Adjuster units (4 and 5) which have the worn bearings in them that are rattling. If I decide to keep the car I need to do a full timing job and replace these Adjuster units which are $200 a piece.

Figured I would let all you know.

Parts I would need.
https://www.ecstuning.com/Cart/?add1...tent=link2cart

[mlifxs]

Originally Posted by Tim603

Well.... I did put on catless headers and I started hearing this rattling noise so I figured hey its my secondary cats.

Finally I got those gutted and guess what.....the rattle is still there

I put it up on the lift and had a two mechanics below my car checking everything for where the sound was coming from, turns out its coming from the valvetrain

after doing some research it turns out vanos rattle is a common problem with some of the older chassis bmws.

Attached is the images of the Adjuster units (4 and 5) which have the worn bearings in them that are rattling. GREAT. Now if I decide to keep the car I need to do a full timing job and replace these Adjuster units which are $200 a piece not to mention all the other parts and the labor involved. Fantastic.

Figured I would let all you know.

Parts I would need.
https://www.ecstuning.com/Cart/?add1...tent=link2cart

thanks and sorry. What's your mileage? did you buy new?

[Tim603]

just hit 150k miles
07 328xi N51
Bought at 74k miles
and I just put a brand new OEM clutch

[Taskmaster]

You know, you could save a good amount of cash by going with OEM (non BMW) parts.

Why are they pulling the head? I would think it would just be a bad chain tensioner.....

You can compare VANOS issues with older models to your car, the system is completely different.

[Tim603]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

You know, you could save a good amount of cash by going with OEM (non BMW) parts.

I dont know anyone who makes an aftermarket camshaft adjustment unit, I know Dr. Vanos rebuilds parts like this but I dont see anything on there about N51/N52 motors.

Either way replacing these parts requires you to pull the head and replace timing components

[Tim603]

Originally Posted by index1489

Why are they pulling the head? I would think it would just be a bad chain tensioner.....

You can compare VANOS issues with older models to your car, the system is completely different.

In the image above, 4+5 are the parts where the bearings go bad which cause the rattle. If it was chain slap than yeah I would say the tensioner could be the issue but its not chain slap is rattle from the vanos parts

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by Tim603

In the image above, 4+5 are the parts where the bearings go bad which cause the rattle. If it was chain slap than yeah I would say the tensioner could be the issue but its not chain slap is rattle from the vanos parts

I was specifically talkiing about the parts you listed inthat quote - ESC should offer a OEM part for lesser cost. My WP through them was about $100 or so less expensive just because of lacking the BMW stamp. I'm ok with that.

[Tim603]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

I was specifically talkiing about the parts you listed inthat quote - ESC should offer a OEM part for lesser cost. My WP through them was about $100 or so less expensive just because of lacking the BMW stamp. I'm ok with that.

Yeah a lot of those parts you can get Febi alternative which I would probably do if I were to tackle the project.